Africa travel blog
Travel tips, background stories and tales from Africa – by our guides and travel experts.
Of black and white rhinos
The rhino is without doubt one of the highlights of any safari. Seeing it awakens in many people memories from books and TV of the age of the dinosaurs. Ponderous but comfortable, it strolls over savannahs or through bushland, grazing on grass or leaves.
Island dream Zanzibar
Zanzibar – even the name sounds dreamy! And who knows … perhaps Freddie Mercury was inspired by the beauty of the island when composing his songs "We Are the Champions" or "We Will Rock You".
Fascination photo gallery
Of course, for most travellers the greatest thing is to take their own pictures of their holiday and put them together in their own album. As a guide, I am delighted every time by the enthusiasm on my guests' faces when they have once again managed a good photo.
Holiday in Africa
Hello, dear blog community, it is already February and finally time to wish you a wonderful new year! I hope your good resolutions for this year were not immediately put on ice beneath the ice crust of the Central European winter in the first few days.
The sky so near and yet so far – the sea of stars over Southern Africa –
I don't know whether I would have fallen for the fascination of the stars as a child if I had only been given a telescope for Christmas. Whenever I did look through one, I saw a brighter glow in the night sky, but it did not put a sparkle in my eyes.
Photo tour through northern Tanzania
During the day all participants arrived safely in Tanzania and were accommodated in our lodge at the foot of Mt. Meru – ready for the start of tomorrow's adventure!
Pilau – a festive dish in Tanzania
Pilau, elsewhere also known as pilaf, is a rice dish that originated in the Middle East. Although not typically African, pilau is traditionally firmly rooted in Tanzania and other East African countries.
Malaria – and the stinging goes on
Christmas time is holiday time! Once again many holidaymakers travel to tropical and subtropical regions where bloodthirsty mosquitoes feast on fresh human blood. The females of the Anopheles mosquito spread the most terror; dependent on protein, they mercilessly suck the red juice from their victims' veins.
The dance of the flamingos
Here is the ultimate question for everyone interested in Africa: "What do Lake Bogoria in Kenya, Lake Natron in Tanzania, Sua Pan in Botswana, Kamfers Dam in South Africa and Walvis Bay Lagoon in Namibia have in common?"
Welwitschia mirabilis
What can you expect from a plant that chooses the Namib Desert of all places as its habitat and, in doing so, even voluntarily exposes itself to conditions of moisture-hostile heat and wrinkle-friendly dryness?
Doctors of a different kind
A holiday in Africa amid exotic National Parks, fascinating deserts, spectacular mountain formations, magnificent coastal landscapes and varied wildlife is as paradisiacal as it sounds. Living here and immersing yourself in the particularities of local lifestyles is no less exciting.
Seals – as far as the eye can see
The route leads from Swakopmund for about 1½ hours along the coast northwards through the Namib Desert. Wlotzkasbaken alone delights the eye – a holiday settlement that, without water and electricity connections but with colourful houses, has grown into the country's most original holiday spot.
Bird delights
How boring I always found our birds in Germany. Monotonous shades of grey, hardly any colour … that is how I remember our birds. And those who liked birds anyway bought some exotics from faraway countries.
After the drive, the accommodation
On every safari – whether in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia or anywhere else in Africa – the drive is the destination. The wildlife along the way or the fascinating landscapes with their distinctive umbrella acacias make the tour in a 4x4 an unforgettable experience.
On foot in the bush
In all of Africa's National Parks or the private wildlife reserves with lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos, it is of course always fascinating to admire the wildlife from a safari vehicle. But I love being able to leave the 4x4 standing and walk through exactly the same areas.
Etosha National Park – an afternoon at the waterhole
There are days in Etosha when I am prepared to drive around with my guests for hours to bring them closer to the national park's rich wildlife. Along the way I stop here and there, tell them interesting facts about the animals and describe striking behaviour.
Camel thorn tree – adapt or die
Besides the animals, it is also plants that fascinate me again and again on tours. These include, for example, the camel thorn tree, which is widespread in Southern Africa and found in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The tree, however, has little to do with camels.
School project in Tanzania
When headmaster Amini took over "Nkoanekoli Secondary School" near Arusha in 2013, he faced just 3 empty rooms – and a great deal of work. To enable his pupils to get a good education, Amini puts all his heart and soul into this school.